Salvia splendens

RHS Plant Profile
scarlet sage

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scarlet sage RHS

Other common names

bonfire flower, firecrackers, globe of fire

Synonyms

Salvia splendens 'Scarlet Sage'

Plants for pollinators
Annual Biennial
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A compact, upright perennial usually grown as an annual, with oval leaves and dense spikes of tubular scarlet flowers with large red bracts, over a long period in summer and autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S. America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, soil in full sun. Pinch out young growth to encourage bushiness. Water in dry weather. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 15-18°C in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Coastal
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging

Pruning

Cut back faded flower spikes after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots